Driver hurt in Cape crash released from the hospital

March 20, 2014

A Cape Coral driver has been released from the hospital following a recent traffic accident.

As of Thursday, Collin J. Woods, 24, of 2424 S.W. 26th Place, had been discharged from Lee Memorial Hospital, where he was taken after the crash at Santa Barbara Boulevard and Cape Coral Parkway.

At about 1:20 a.m. March 8, a westbound Dodge Ram and Honda CRV were stopped at the traffic light at Cape Coral and Santa Barbara. Woods was southbound on Santa Barbara in a Chevrolet Suburban.

The light turned green for the westbound traffic, and the Dodge and Honda began to pull forward. According to Cape police, Woods entered the intersection, violating the right-of-way of the vehicles, officials said.

The Chevy struck the Dodge on the rear right side, causing the Dodge to cross into the Honda's lane. The Honda was hit in the right side fender and forced into the median, where it then struck a sign.

After colliding into the Honda, the Dodge spun about halfway around before coming to a stop. The Chevy traveled westbound across Cape Coral Parkway, hit a concrete wall and damaged a sign.

Police reported that Woods sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital, as was a passenger in the Chevy, Thomas C. Brown. He sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Brown, 22, of 1715 Viscaya Parkway, was treated at the hospital and later released.

According to Cape fire officials, Woods was not breathing when first responders arrived. They had to open his airway and then extract him and Brown from the Chevy using the Jaws of Life equipment.

The driver of the Dodge, Rafael D. Diaz, 44, of 4401 S.W. Seventh Ave., also sustained non-life threatening injuries. Taken to Cape Coral Hospital, he was treated and later discharged.

A passenger in the Dodge and the driver of the Honda were reportedly not injured.